Artwork
Landscape with a Shepherd Couple
Landscape with a Shepherd Couple is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Hendrick Goltzius's 'Landscape with a Shepherd Couple' is a print created around 1594 using the chiaroscuro woodcut technique. It is a representative work of the Northern Mannerism style, characteristic of the early Baroque period in the Netherlands.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene pastoral scene with a shepherd and companion walking along a path, set against a landscape dominated by a lone tree on a hillside. The figures are dwarfed by their surroundings, emphasizing the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employed chiaroscuro woodcut in multiple ink tones—ochre-sepia, olive, and black—to achieve a dramatic, textured effect. The layering of ink created deep shadows and highlights, giving the scene a sculpted appearance.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
